FAN wrote:I don't understand why Gillis didn't re-sign Lapierre. If it's either or, I don't see Richardson as an upgrade. I guess change was necessary.

I had heard he wanted a 3-4 year deal close to the 3 million range. I would suspect he was on very thin ice here. He was an AV guy, AV vouched for him at the trade deadline. With AV gone would suspect t that he was not a MG guy and they juts walk away after hearing the demands. The fact that they didn't counter speaks volumes to me. They just didn't want him back.

No doubt this is a part of that 'culture change' Gillis was talking about. I think they signed Richardson for slightly more than what Lappy got in St. Louis, which tells me this wasn't about money. They just didn't want him.

I didn't mind Lappy when he was a Canuck. As a fourth-liner, he was pretty much what you wanted. I liked the fact that he was trying to yap less.

I think he just couldn't shake his reputation, and I think Gillis is trying to change the image of the team in that regard.

Really not much of a loss either way, assuming Gillis has another 4th liner or two lined up. A guy like Sestito is fine as the 13th forward but shouldn't be playing a regular shift, barring a shock improvement in his game.

I liked what Lappy brought but a change was needed. I'd still like to see a high energy guy like Skille, or a banger brought in for the 4th line as well. It's still early in free agency and most teams are done, hopefully there will be a few bargain signings coming up to compete for spots on the team.

Yep this is the culture change part of things. Or at least the start of it.

They went with Richardson over LaPierre and reputation was likely a big reason. Well that and I think Richardson will prove to be the better player for this club. A more consistent effort from what I've seen through the years. In reality LaPierre outside of the cup run has struggled to contribute as a canuck. This past season he was terrible.

I do wonder what will happen with both Burrows and Kesler. Gillis made a comment at the end of the year about Burrows that was something like "he hasn't said a word when getting called for over two years and he still has the reputation. What more can be done?"

Topper wrote:I'm not defending Lappy, but I'm not impressed with going smaller with Richardson.

meh. It's 10 lbs and what he lacks in hitting compared to LaPierre he makes up for not running out of position to take the late hit. LaPierre hit but that was about it and his hits did not tend to benefit the team the past season or so. It will also be a benefit to the team that they don't have to kill the LaPierre reputation penalty every second game.